CALGARY, Alta. – The coaching staffs for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team and Canada’s national men’s under-17 teams have been selected.

Paul McFarland (Richmond Hill, Ont./Kingston, OHL) will serve as head coach for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, while Mark French (Milton, Ont./Calgary, WHL) and Darren Rumble (Barrie, Ont./Moncton, QMJHL) join McFarland as assistant coaches for the summer selection camp and the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

On the under-17 side, Paul Boutilier (Sydney, N.S./Saint John, QMJHL) will serve as head coach for Team Canada Black, Brent Kisio (Calgary/Lethbridge, WHL) will head Team Canada White, while Rocky Thompson (Calgary/Windsor, OHL) will lead Team Canada Red at Canada’s national under-17 development camp and at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Chris Dennis (Toronto/York University, OUA) and David Struch (Flin Flon, Man./Regina, WHL) will serve as assistants for Team Canada Black, Jamie Heward (Regina, Sask./Swift Current, WHL) and Daniel Jacob (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que./Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) will join Kisio as assistant coaches for Team Canada White, while Mitch Love (Quesnel, B.C./Everett, WHL) and Ryan Marsh (Quesnel, B.C./Edmonton, WHL) will join Thompson on Team Canada Red.

“This is an exciting group of coaches that have been chosen to lead our National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team and under-17 programs as they aim to re-create the success these teams generated last season,” said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams with Hockey Canada. “These coaches have found success at many different levels in the game and bring a magnitude of experience to our programs that will help develop the top young talent in our country.”

Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team

McFarland served as an assistant coach with Team Canada Red at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and has been the head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs for the past two seasons. Prior to joining the Frontenacs, he was an assistant coach with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals from 2012-14. McFarland played four seasons of junior hockey with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires from 2002-06. He also spent four seasons playing university hockey with Acadia University and served as captain from 2007-10.

French has been the head coach of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen for the past two seasons. Prior to leading the Hitmen, he was head coach the KHL’s Medvescak Zagreb during the 2013-14 season and led the AHL’s Hershey Bears from 2009-13. French spent three seasons as head coach of the CHL’s Wichita Thunder from 2005-08 and also served as head coach for Wilfrid Laurier University (OUA) from 2002-04. He also served as the assistant coach and general manager for the OHL’s North Bay Centennials from 1999-2002.

Rumble returns to Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team after winning a goal medal as an assistant coach at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. Rumble is in his fourth season as head coach of the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats, having previously served as head coach of the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals and as an assistant coach with the Admirals, the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, the QMJHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs, and the AHL’s Springfield Falcons. A first-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Rumble played 193 NHL games with Philadelphia, Ottawa, St. Louis and Tampa Bay during a 16-year professional career.

Canada’s national men’s under-17 teams

Boutilier has served as an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs since 2015. Prior to joining the Sea Dogs, he served as head coach for Dalhousie University (AUS) from 2009-13, and was also the head coach at Saint Mary’s University from 1993-97. As a player, Boutilier was twice a member of Canada’s National Junior Team, winning gold in 1982 and bronze in 1983 at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He also played eight seasons in the NHL with Boston, Minnesota, New York, and Winnipeg from 1982-89.

Kisio just completed his first season as head coach of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes after spending eight seasons as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen (2007-15). He was also behind the bench as assistant coach for Team Pacific at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. As a player, he spent four seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (2003-07) after playing the 2002-03 season with the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers.

Thompson just completed his first season as head coach of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. He previously served as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers during the 2014-15 season, and was an assistant coach with the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons from 2010-14 and WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings from 2007-10. As a player, Thompson played three seasons with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers (1993-96). From 1995-2007, he played in the AHL with Saint John, Louisville, Hershey, San Antonio, Toronto, Edmonton and Peoria, and appeared in 25 NHL games with Calgary and Florida.

Hockey Canada’s National Teams’ Summer Showcase will be held July 26 to Aug. 2 at the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada's director of player personnel, will lead player selection for the camp and camp invites will be announced in the coming weeks for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp and Canada’s national under-17 development camp.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Men.

DAWSON CREEK AND FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Official puck-drop for the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is set for Sunday, but the energy and excitement of the tournament is palpable in both host cities on the eve of pre-tournament action in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C.

The players and their support staff and fans have been flocking in all week, and all eight participating teams – including our nation’s 66-strong contingent who make up Team Canada Black,Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White – will be giving fans a preview of the sporting action to come when they lace up their skates for four exhibition games on Friday, Oct. 30.

“It has been a whirlwind four-and-a-half months since we were officially awarded the tournament, but thanks to the tireless work of volunteers, we are ready for the puck to drop,” said Barry Reynard, co-chair of the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. “It’s exciting for us to be able to open our communities to the hockey world, and welcome players, coaches, officials, scouts, and fans to Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.”

Exhibition-game action begins at 2:30 p.m. PT with Team Canada Black facing Sweden at the Encana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, and the Czech Republic going up against Finland at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John. Team Canada White will play Russia in a 7 p.m. game at the North Peace Arena, while fans in Dawson Creek will be treated to a Team Canada Red – United States match-up.

Group and single tickets are still available for the event, coming up Oct. 30 to Nov. 7. Information on tickets and pricing, including how to purchase, can be found at hockeycanada.ca/wu17.

The 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge brings together the top players in the world born in 1999 or later. The three Canadian teams will be joined by the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States, forming two groups of four teams. All eight teams will qualify for the quarter-finals, with the winners advancing to the semifinals, and losers facing off in placement games. The full schedule can be found here.

The gold-medal game is Saturday, Nov. 7 in Dawson Creek at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT, and will be shown on TSN, Hockey Canada’s official broadcaster, along with the bronze-medal game and the semifinal played in Dawson Creek. RDS will broadcast the games with a delay. All other tournament games, including 12 preliminary-round games, four quarter-finals, two placement games and the semifinal played in Fort St. John, will be available live through FASTHockey webcasts at www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17.

For more information on the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17 or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/worldu17 or www.twitter.com/hc_wu17.

CALGARY, Alta. – Scott Walker (Cambridge, Ont.) – a Team Canada alumnus and assistant coach with Canada's gold medal-winning National Junior Team in 2015 – has accepted the position of head coach for Canada White at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., at the end of this month.

Walker, whose NHL career totaled 829 games and 379 career points, spent the last five seasons as head coach of the OHL’s Guelph Storm. He brings podium experience to his role, having served as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Junior Team when it won gold in 2015 and bronze in 2012, and with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team during its gold-medal performance at the 2012 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. Walker takes over from Jamie Kompon, who has had to step down due to conflicting commitments.

The 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge runs Oct. 30-Nov. 7, 2015, and will bring together the top players in the world born in 1999 or later. The under-17 program is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Many players who compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge go on to represent Canada with the National Men’s Under-18 Team, National Junior Team and National Men’s Team.

For more information on the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/worldu17 or www.twitter.com/hc_wu17.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada announced Wednesday the three head coaches and six assistant coaches who will lead the three Canadian teams at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Kris Knoblauch (Regina, Sask./Erie, OHL) will serve as head coach for Canada Red, Jamie Kompon (Thunder Bay, Ont./Portland, WHL) will head Canada White, and Marco Pietroniro (Montreal, Que./Baie-Comeau, QMJHL), will lead Canada Black.

Gilles Bouchard (Normandin, Que./Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL) and Drew Bannister (Sudbury, Ont./Owen Sound, OHL) will serve as assistant coaches for Canada White, Jamie Heward (Regina, Sask./Swift Current, WHL) and Serge Lajoie (St. Albert, Alta./NAIT, ACAC) will join Knoblauch on Canada Red, while Trevor Letowski (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Ryan Oulahan (Newmarket, Ont./North Bay, OHL) will be behind the bench for Canada Black.

Kris Knoblauch, 36, has spent the past three seasons as head coach of the OHL’s Erie Otters, leading the team to a berth in the OHL final this season. Prior to the joining the Otters midway through the 2012-13 season, he was an assistant coach for the WHL’s Kootenay Ice from 2007-10 before taking over as head coach from 2010-12. As head coach, Knoblauch lead the Ice to their third WHL championship in 2011 and the team’s first Memorial Cup appearance since 2002. Drafted by the New York Islanders in seventh round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft (166th overall), he played one season with the CHL’s Austin Ice Bats. Prior to his professional career, Knoblauch spent five seasons with the University of Alberta from 1999-04, winning a national championship with the Golden Bears in 2000. He also spent four seasons in the WHL with Red Deer, Edmonton, Kootenay and Lethbridge from 1996-99.

Jamie Kompon, 48, just completed his first season as head coach of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks after spending two seasons as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks from 2012-14, winning the Stanley Cup in 2013. Kompon also spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings from 2006-12, winning the Stanley Cup in 2012. His coaching career includes nine seasons with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues from 1997-2006 as video coach and strength and conditioning coach, as well as stops with the AHL’s Baltimore Bandits and McGill University. Kompon served as video coach with Canada at the 2006 IIHF World Championship. As a player, he played two seasons of professional hockey in the ECHL with Hampton Road, Cincinnati and Winston-Salem from 1989-91 after four seasons with McGill University from 1985-89.

Marco Pietroniro, 44, has been the head coach of the QJMHL’s Drakkar de Baie-Comeau for one season. He coached Quebec at the 2015 Canada Winter Games and was also an assistant coach for Canada White at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Pietroniro spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Foreurs de Val-d’Or from 2012-14, winning the QMJHL championship in 2014. Prior to that, he was the head coach and general manager of the CHL’s Arizona Sundogs for six seasons from 2006-12. As a player, Pietroniro played 10 seasons of professional hockey with Brixen/Bressanone (Italy), Torino (Italy), Jacksonville (SuHL), Brunico SG (Italy), Milano (Italy), Idaho (WCHL) and San Angelo (SPHL). He also played three seasons with the QMJHL’s Draveurs de Trois-Rivières.

The 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will mark the second year the tournament will feature three national teams (Black, Red and White). From 1986 to 2014, Canada was represented by five regional teams: Atlantic, Ontario, Pacific, Quebec and West.

“This is an exciting group of coaches who will be part of our under-17 program this season,” said Shawn Bullock, senior manager of hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “They have found success at the professional and junior levels, and have a wide range of experience within our programs. We’re looking forward to working with them through our summer camp and the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge to continue to develop the outstanding young talent our country produces.”

Canada’s national under-17 development camp will be held July 29 to Aug. 4 at the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, with 108 players attending. From the camp, 66 players will be selected to represent Canada at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada's director of player personnel, will lead player selection for the camp, along with regional scouts Carl Bouchard (Quebec), Wade Klippenstein (West), Kevin Mitchell (Atlantic), Darryl Woodley (Ontario) and Barclay Branch (Ontario).

Camp invites will be announced in the coming weeks, as will a host city and schedule information for the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

The 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will bring together the top players in the world born in 1999 or later. The under-17 program is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Many players who compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge go on to represent Canada with the National Men’s Under-18 Team, National Junior Team and National Men’s Team.

Since the first under-17 tournament (then known as the Quebec Esso Cup) in 1986, more than 1,200 NHL draft picks have played in the tournament, including 11 of the last 14 first-overall selections (Ilya Kovalchuk, 2001; Rick Nash, 2002; Marc-André Fleury, 2003; Alexander Ovechkin, 2004; Erik Johnson, 2006; Patrick Kane, 2007; John Tavares, 2009; Taylor Hall, 2010; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2011; Nathan MacKinnon, 2013; Aaron Ekblad, 2014).

For more information on the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/worldu17 or www.twitter.com/hc_wu17.

SARNIA, Ont. – The stage is set for the gold medal game at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The United States and Russia earned semifinal victories on Friday, and will meet Saturday night at the RBC Centre.

The gold medal game begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and can be seen live on TSN2. It will also be shown on tape delay on RDS2 on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

The United States beat Sweden 4-1 in the early semifinal, while Russia topped Finland 6-1 in the late game.

It’s the fifth time in six years the U.S. will play in the gold medal game, while the Russians will make their third appearance in four years. The teams met in the 2012 final in Windsor, Ont., with Russia earning a 7-5 win to capture its second U17 gold medal.

In Friday’s early semifinal, Clayton Keller added to his tournament-leading point total with three assists, and Max Jones added a goal and a helper to lead the U.S. back to the gold medal game. Kailer Yamamoto, Joey Anderson and Luke Wilson also scored for the Americans, who have won 12 straight games at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, dating back to a semifinal loss to the Russians in 2013. Keller (six goals, seven assists) and Jones (six goals, four assists) sit one-two in tournament scoring.

In the second semifinal, Russia got 30 saves from Vladislav Sukhachyov, and a goal and an assist apiece from Dmitri Alexeyev, Dmitri Sokolov and Maxim Bain to avenge their 5-4 shootout loss to the Finns in the preliminary round. Vitali Abramov, Vyacheslav Shevchenko and Nikita A. Popugayev also scored for the Russians, who have already assured themselves of a medal for the fourth consecutive under-17 tournament.

Sweden and Finland will meet in the bronze medal game on Saturday afternoon at the RBC Centre. The game can be seen live on TSN2, beginning at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

Single-game tickets for the gold and bronze medal games are on sale online or at the RBC Centre box office. For more information on tickets, including how to purchase, CLICK HERE.

The 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge brings together the top players in the world born in 1998 or later. The under-17 program is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Many players who compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge go on to represent Canada with the National Men’s Under-18 Team, National Junior Team and National Men’s Team.

Since the first under-17 tournament (then known as the Quebec Esso Cup) in 1986, more than 1,300 NHL draft picks have played, including 11 of the last 14 first-overall selections (Ilya Kovalchuk, 2001; Rick Nash, 2002; Marc-André Fleury, 2003; Alexander Ovechkin, 2004; Erik Johnson, 2006; Patrick Kane, 2007; John Tavares, 2009; Taylor Hall, 2010; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2011; Nathan MacKinnon, 2013; Aaron Ekblad, 2014).

For more information on the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/worldu17 or www.twitter.com/hc_wu17.

Just two days before the chase for gold begins in Sarnia-Lambton, Ont., the eight teams competing at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge saw their first game action Friday night in southwestern Ontario, with four pre-tournament games on the schedule.

Canada Black 4, Sweden 3 (OT)
Reagan O’Grady (Brampton, Ont./Kingston, OHL) scored with just 49 seconds left in overtime, giving Canada Black the victory in Petrolia, Ont.

The Canadians led 3-1 very late in the second period before the Swedes battled back with a pair of goals to force extra time, but O’Grady’s unassisted effort made sure it was the Canadians leaving the Greenwood Recreation Centre with a victory.

Lucas Thierus (Saint-Eustache, Que./St-Eustache, LHMAAAQ) scored twice in regulation time for Canada Black, while Tyler Benson (Edmonton, Alta./Vancouver, WHL) added one and Sam Steel (Sherwood Park, Alta./Regina, WHL) chipped in with three assists.

Oliver Olsson had a pair of goals for the Swedes, opening the scoring just 1:13 in before getting the Swedish comeback started with just six seconds left in the second period, cutting the Canadian lead to 3-2 after two.

Both teams split the goaltending duties; Stuart Skinner (Edmonton, Alta./Lethbridge, WHL) stopped eight of nine for Canada Black before giving way to Reilly Pickard (Halifax, N.S./Baie-Comeau, QMJHL), who made 12 saves on 14 chances, while Filip Gustavsson (12 of 15) and Gusten Lindh (17 of 18) shared the Swedish goal.

Finland 6, Slovakia 3
Otto Mäkinen was the offensive star with two goals and two assists, helping the Finns to a pre-tournament win over the Slovaks in Watford, Ont., in the lone all-European exhibition game.

Emil Oksanen, Urho Vaakanainen, Aapeli Räsänen and Janne Kuokkanen had the other goals for Finland, which took the lead just 10 seconds after the puck dropped and held a 3-0 advantage before the 12-minute mark of the opening period.

Vaakanainen and Kuokkanen added two assists each for three-point nights, while Otto Somppi had two helpers to help the Finnish offence.

Milos Roman, the youngest player at the tournament (he doesn’t turn 15 until Thursday), Matej Galbavy and Kroni Musliu scored goals for Slovakia, which got to within one early in the third period before the Finns pulled away with two goals in the final 11 minutes.

Kimmo Rautianinen and Leevi Laakso shared the Finnish net, while Jan Koziak went the distance for Slovakia.

Russia 5, Canada Red 2
Vyacheslav Shevchenko, Vladimir Kuznetsov and Artyom Minulin scored second-period goals to break open a 1-0 game, and Russia beat Canada Red in Lambton Shores, Ont.

Alexander Yakovenko had a goal and two assists to lead the Russians, while Vitali Abramov also scored. Alexander Podkorytov joined Yakovenko with multiple-point performances, picking up two helpers.

William Bitten (Gloucester, Ont./Plymouth, OHL) and Logan Brown (Carleton Place, Ont./Windsor, OHL) had the goals for Canada Red, which gave the Russians seven chances with the man advantage and was outshot by a wide margin, 43-28.

Dylan Wells (St. Catharines, Ont./Peterborough, OHL) got the call in the Canada Red goal, giving up three goals on 17 shots before relinquishing the net to Evan Fitzpatrick (Lower Sackville, N.S./Sherbrooke, QMJHL), who was busy in his 28 minutes of work, stopping 24 of the 26 shots he faced.

Maxim Kalyayev and Vladislav Sukhachyov gave up one goal each for Russia; Kalyayev finished with 10 saves, while Sukhachyov was 16-for-17 in just over 30 minutes of action.

United States 6, Canada White 0
Clayton Keller had a goal and two assists to lead all scorers and the United States got points from 14 of its 20 skaters in a convincing win over the Canadians in Sarnia, Ont.

The Americans scored at even strength, on the power play and shorthanded in the second period to turn a tight 1-0 game after one period into a 4-0 runaway through 40 minutes as the defending gold medallists flexed their offensive muscle at the RBC Centre.

James Sanchez, Patrick Khodorenko, Adam Fox, William Lockwood and Max Jones joined Keller on the scoresheet with goals for the U.S., which won despite seven Canada White power plays.

Jake Oettinger got the start in the American goal, making 16 saves in just over 30 minutes of work, while Joseph Woll stopped all seven shots he faced the rest of the way to wrap up the combined shutout.

Samuel Harvey (Alma, Que./Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL) and Ryan Kubic (Winnipeg, Man./Vancouver, WHL) gave up three goals each for Canada White, which was outshot 43-23 by the U.S.

SAINT JOHN, N.B. – After 10 days of games, the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge has wrapped up in Saint John and Quispamsis, N.B., with Russia taking home gold, Finland capturing silver and Sweden winning bronze.

In the gold medal game, Eero Niemi opened the scoring for Finland less than five minutes in when he fired a rebound past Russian goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. Russia answered with a shorthanded goal from Daniil Gushchin just under five minutes in to the second period, and Ignat Kokhanin supplied the game-winner late in the middle frame, securing a fourth U17 gold medal for Russia.

Askarov backstopped the Russians to victory, making 22 saves.

Following the gold medal game, the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge all-star team was announced:

• Goaltender: Yaroslav Askarov (Russia)
• Defence: Yan Kuznetsov (Russia)
• Defence: Ryan O’Rourke (Team Canada Black)
• Forward: Connor McClennon (Team Canada White)
• Forward: Vasili Ponomaryov (Russia)
• Forward: Lucas Raymond (Sweden)

Team Canada Red finishes fourth after falling to Sweden in shootout

In the bronze medal game earlier Saturday, Team Canada Red overcame a two-goal deficit to force overtime before falling to Sweden 4-3 in a shootout.

“This is my first time playing against countries like Sweden and Russia and Finland,” said Justin Sourdif (Surrey, B.C./Vancouver, WHL) following the game. “It was a great experience to play against those teams and to play against that level of competition.”

Jake Murray (Oakville, Ont./Kingston, OHL) opened the scoring just under seven minutes in on a shot from the point, but Sweden answered with goals by Daniel Ljungman, Zion Nybeck and Elliot Ekmark. 

On a delayed penalty with under six minutes remaining in the second period, William Dufour (Quebec City/Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL) was credited for Team Canada Red’s second goal after and errant pass by the Swedes found the back of their own net. Jacob Perreault (Hinsdale, Ill./Sarnia, OHL) evened the score in the opening minutes of the third period, eventually sending the game into overtime. Lucas Raymond sealed the win and a bronze medal for Sweden with the lone goal in the shootout.

“We knew we had a special group and we didn’t want to end on a bad note. I think that turning point in the second period gave us a little bit of life and the crowd got into it,” said Louis Robitaille (Montreal/Victoriaville, QMJHL), head coach for Team Canada Red. “We battled hard and we need to be really proud of these young men.”

Dylan Garand (Victoria, B.C./Kamloops, WHL) stopped 45 shots in the loss.

For more information on the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

There are countless stories of young hockey players leaving home to pursue their career dreams in other places.

Most of those usually involve leaving one area of their country for another, but usually in the same general region. The chronicles of those crossing an ocean and traveling nearly 6,000 kilometres to do so are unique and certainly rare.

Enter Théo Rochette.

You may not have heard the name, but that’s likely about to change – and quickly.

When most 16-year-olds are more worried about which video game to purchase or passing their driver’s test, Rochette made a much more important life decision.

It involved leaving his home in Switzerland to accelerate his hockey plans of one day playing in the National Hockey League.

As a dual citizen with a strong lineage to Canada, Rochette made the choice to leave Switzerland, a place that’s nurtured his hockey path the last five years for Major Junior this season with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

“I told my dad I want to go to junior in Canada,” says Rochette, who speaks three languages: French, English and German. “There are more scouts and the door is more open to get to the NHL.”

“Here in Canada, it’s the best junior (hockey) in the world. It’s pretty cool. It’s a great advantage.”

His decision to relocate to Canada to play junior hockey is not exclusive, as European players have used the Canadian Hockey League (QMJHL, OHL and WHL) as a potential passage for career advancement for decades.

Where his transfer takes a distinct turn is his further decision to leave behind his international involvement in Swiss hockey to play for Canada on the world stage.

Born in Switzerland, Rochette moved to Canada at an early age and lived in Quebec for four years (six to 10 years old) before the family (including siblings) moved back to Switzerland.

His father, Stéphane, is a Quebec native, but has spent countless years in Switzerland refereeing at various levels. His mother, Christine, was born in France but has a lived most of her life in Switzerland.

Armed with those facts, it’s clear in understanding his connective roots to both Europe and North America. And as such, he wasn’t far off Hockey Canada’s scope when it comes to highly-skilled players with a potential to play for this country.

“We’re aware of dual citizens,” says Hockey Canada head scout Brad McEwen. “We actively look to see who they are. We don’t want to take players away from other programs, but we were open to this. He’s played hockey in Canada before. And the family approached us (about playing for Canada).”

It wasn’t long before the ask became a fit for both parties; Rochette tugged on a different style of red and white to represent Canada on the international stage as a member of Canada White at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

“We were looking for a commitment to play for Canada long term,” adds McEwen. “We didn’t want a springboard for other federations. When that happened, we were comfortable in pursuing it.”

As one of the 66 players selected to the three-team Canadian contingent, Rochette was the only one that didn’t attend Canada’s national under-17 development camp last summer, although his absence was not without sound justification.

In what was presumably his last international appearance for Switzerland, Rochette was competing at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer and Edmonton, Alta., where he recorded a goal and three points in six games.

That commitment conflicted with the U17 camp, but ultimately it didn’t diminish his chances of making the final roster.

“Our information was that he was a really good player,” says McEwen. “Then when we saw him at [the Hlinka Gretzky Cup] it proved to be correct. He was an underage at that event, and he played really well.”

Through what appears to be a seamless hockey transition in moving from Switzerland to Canada, what Hockey Canada is getting is a highly skilled and competitive player who could be a staple for this nation at future international events.

“He has the ability to possess the puck and he can create offence,” says McEwen. “Our philosophy in the program is to try and foster that skill. He really fits the mold in how we want to play. He has skill and the ability to make plays. He skates really well, plays fast and can process the game. He can make decisions while playing with pace. He fits really well in what we’re looking for.

“When I watched him in Chicoutimi he plays real good minutes. He didn’t look intimidated. He played and handled it really well. And they use him in all offensive situations.”

Should Rochette continue on the trajectory he’s expected, he could follow along a pathway of an already well established, but also teenaged, Swiss player in Nico Hischier, a budding superstar with the New Jersey Devils who was the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

“I don’t know him personally,” says Rochette. “There’s a lot of people that I know that know him pretty well. But I like his style and how he plays. I watch a lot of players but he’s one of the players I watch a lot.”

Based on his skill and potential, could Rochette provide a similar attraction to NHL scouts and administrators when he becomes draft eligible in 2020?

Sure, says McEwen, but there’s still plenty of hockey to be played.

“When you compare him to his peers, there’s a really good chance for him to be a high draft pick. The success he’s having in the QMJHL; he’s producing. I think with the notoriety and production so far he has a chance to be a high draft pick.”

Until then, he’s now Canada’s to nurture.

Every young Canadian hockey player dreams of representing their country by donning the Maple Leaf.

It’s a dream that comes true this week for four members of the Saint John Sea Dogs, who are on familiar ice going for gold at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Charlie DesRoches, Josh Lawrence, Jérémie Poirier and William Villeneuve make up one of the largest contingents from a single Canadian Hockey League team since Canada went to three national U17 teams in 2014.

(The Sea Dogs’ QMJHL rivals, the Shawinigan Cataractes, also have four players at the tournament.)

“It’s huge. It’s everything you dream of as a kid,” says DesRoches, the only one of the four not to be taken in the first round of the QMJHL Entry Draft (he went at No. 32 in the second). “It’s going to be a real honour to be a part of [the tournament]. I just want to take it all in and not take it for granted.”

The Saint John quartet may only be 16, but their childhood memories of watching Team Canada have certainly inspired them on their journey thus far.

Every passionate Canadian hockey fan has their own Team Canada memory – from Paul Henderson in 1972, to Wayne Gretzky hooking up with Mario Lemieux in 1987, to Sidney Crosby and the Golden Goal in 2010 – and these four are no different.

“My family and I always watched the World Juniors,” says Lawrence, one of two New Brunswick products to make the final Team Canada cut. “It’s an unbelievable feeling and it gives you chills to think about representing your country.

“I remember screaming and yelling when Crosby scored in 2010. It was a crazy feeling watching that and now to put on a Maple Leaf, it’s a dream come true.”

And while the chance to make memories of their own is front of mind, the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge presents an even bigger opportunity – to grow, develop and take what they learn back to the Sea Dogs.

Saint John head coach Josh Dixon – who has U17 experience of his own as an assistant coach with Canada Black in 2014 – knows what the tournament can do for a young player’s game, and their confidence.

“I’m excited for all four young men to have the opportunity to represent their country,” Dixon says. “The U17s will make them all better individually, and most importantly it will make them all better team players the next time they play for Canada and for the Sea Dogs.”

Just one small catch – they’ll have to learn to be better team players … on separate teams.

When Canadian rosters were announced in late October, the four Sea Dogs were spread across the three teams – DesRoches and Poirier will play for Canada White, Lawrence for Canada Black and Villeneuve for Canada Red.

Before they had even traded in their Sea Dogs sweaters for Canadian colours, the friendly rivalry had already begun.

“It’s going to be a great tournament, but there’s also bragging rights on the line,” says DesRoches.

“I’m playing against Charlie and Jérémie the first game so we have been going at it a little bit,” adds Lawrence. “It’s all in fun, but I’m just really excited to get the tournament started.”